Sri Sathya Sai Vrindawith Love, at His service

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Ashrama Info

Videos

Photos

National Teachers’ Conference 2018 – May 26 2018, Day 2

Morning:

The second day of the National Teachers Conference on May 26, 2018 began with renewed enthusiasm at 9.30 a.m. in the morning.

The first speakers were Ms Jayashree Ashok and Mr Ashok (Founders of Creative School, Bangalore). They spoke about the efficacy of education imparted to students in a completely stress-free natural environment. Mrs Ashok urged teachers to connect with students truly and deeply and make the classes interactive, creative and loving. Nature is the best teacher. Students should be allowed to explore and learn of their own accord. In the process, teachers should encourage the blossoming of unique skills of students. Mrs Jayashree Ashok also gave an account about the creative approaches to learning adopted by their School which are not akin to conventional methods of teaching. They teach students practical aspects of learning including personality grooming, handling their own thoughts and emotion, etc and a team of therapists facilitate this. Mr Ashok is a sports enthusiast and spoke to the audience about the values inculcated in students through sports.

The next speaker for the morning was Mr Madhan, an educational motivator, and an expert in political science and social sciences for the CBSE, NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) and the DAV schools. He is also a master trainer for the CBSE board and has conducted more than 80 workshops in North India. Sri Madhan has been a lesson writer, translator and member of book development committee for the NCERT books. He has delivered radio lessons and live TV lessons on Gyan Darshan as well.

He said, “In recent times teaching has become out of fashion. Hence, we need to shift focus from teaching to facilitating learning. Learning happens only when children are given freedom to think for themselves and to express themselves completely. What is the need of value education? India is Vishwa Guru for morals, values, and good manners. We stood for the value, ‘Vasudeva Kutumbakam’. However, in the present scenario, there is degradation of values and growing selfishness in every sphere of human life.”

He discussed about four approaches to inculcate values. Direct approach – Values taught through structured methods. Integrated approach – Values integrated with subjects. Holistic approach – Values integrated into each and every aspect of school life. Innovative approach – Exploration of dynamic and engaging methods to inculcate values in students.

The session resumed after a short break and commenced with a group discussion activity. Teachers were grouped according to their subjects of teaching: Social studies, Science, English, Mathematics…etc. Moderators were in place to assist the teacher delegates. Mr Natesh Shetty and Mr C V Subhash (alumni of the Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions) conducted the session. There were two parts to the group discussion. First part was about directly integrating values in subjects and second part was about indirect methods of integrating values outside the subjects. Difference between IQ & EQ – Intelligence and Emotional quotient was discussed.

The participants made flip charts to share the outcome of group discussion.

Evening:

The evening session began with Vedic invocation of Devi Suktam by the girls of Sri Sathya Sai Centre for Human Excellence. Brother Ananth Sai, Alumnus of Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Group of Institutions, Muddenahalli Campus, who has recently joined as staff in the Sri Sathya Sai Pre-University College, Muddenahalli, after a stint of working in various multi-national companies, gave a brief summary of the morning session.

A video presentation about the Annapoorna breakfast programme was showcased. This was followed by a talk by Mr Sai Prasad Ivaturi, a trustee of Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust and active volunteer of the programme. He spoke about the journey of the Annapoorna programme and motivated everyone to join the programme.

The last part of the day was the most awaited Bharatanatyam performance, Nruthya Ranjani – ‘Rama Katha’, directed and choreographed by Dr Roshni Pillay Kesavan from Singapore, joined by her daughter, Dr Nisha Pillay Kesavan and Ms Mathivani from Malaysia. Students – girls and boys of Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Group of Institutions were also part of the beautiful presentation.

Then the evening session came to a close with Mangala Arati and Prasadam distribution.